Death Stranding, one of the most talked-about games of 2019, is finally due to launch on PC for the Epic Games Store and Steam. Ahead of release, reviews have been pouring in from critics.
As you might expect, there are quite a few varying opinions for the one-time PS4 exclusive, though it does sit at a very strong 88 at this time of writing on Metacritic. You play as Sam Porter Bridges, who’s tasked with reconnecting a broken America in a post-apocalypse, one delivery at a time. Its PC version brings with it improved visuals, additional content, and also some Half-Life crossover content.
Here’s what the critics have been saying about Kojima Productions’ Death Stranding ahead of release.
Press Start Australia – Shannon Grixti – 8/10
“It’s an art installation of a game that filled me with rage as often as it did joy. It is sweeping in both lustre and purpose, though it wears a few warts on the pleasant, bare bones of a game about deliveries that has no right to be as memorable as it somehow is.”
PC World – Fergus Halliday – No Score
For as much as the typical cinematic stylings and questionable dialogue that gaming auteur Kojima is known for are present here, Death Stranding feels like a game that’s firmly stepping out of its comfort zone and into the unknown. Not every idea in Death Stranding is a winner but I’m delighted to grapple with it nonetheless.
The Sixth Axis – Miguel Moran – 8/10
“Death Stranding takes on a whole new meaning in 2020, and it’s a story well worth revisiting or experiencing for the first time on PC. The pacing of the game can certainly drag to a screeching halt through the middle, but with boosted frame rate and crisper visuals, you’ll likely be too mesmerised by the hauntingly gorgeous world of Hideo Kojima’s latest masterpiece to even care about the uneven story beats.”
PCGamesN – Malindy Hetfeld – 8/10
“Kojima’s muses and famous friends act out a story so overblown there’s no point in asking after its flimsy politics or trying to fill its plot holes – as always with him, either you’re on board or you’re off. This time, I was firmly on, and it wasn’t for the story, it was for this weird, thrilling, and sometimes deeply boring experience. The mere fact that the game managed to be all these things at once made me respect it, as little as I cared for its story or bland world. In the end, the journey was the destination.”
PCMag – Tony Polanco – 3.5/5
“For all of its faults, Death Stranding is unlike any other AAA title on the market. It doesn’t hold your hand or provide clear-cut narrative answers—it’s downright confusing, at times. You’re either onboard for this wild ride or you’re not. Death Stranding is the definition of a divisive title, one with a plodding story and cumbersome menu system, but if you’re looking for something that challenges your perception of blockbuster games, it’s certainly worth a play.”
Attack of the Fanboy – Kyle Hanson – 4/5
“Death Stranding is only made better in the transition to PC. Its world feels more vibrant and alive thanks to 4K and 60fps gameplay. Beyond that it’s mostly the same experience as you got on PS4, which was already quite impressive. The game has also taken on new relevence given real world events, so playing it now has a very different feel than last year. However, while its strengths have been enhanced, so to have its weaknesses, especially in its overarching story. There’s no doubt though that Death Stranding is one of gaming’s most unique experiences and it’s fantastic that its audience can grow with this release.”
Wccftech – Francesco De Meo – 9/10
“With production values that are through the roof and an extremely engaging story, Death Stranding is among Hideo Kojima’s best games. The moment-to-moment gameplay, however, falls short due to its repetitiveness, and the long stretches without any real action make it difficult to recommend the game to all open-world fans. Death Stranding is something different, and only approaching it with an open mind will reveal the brilliance of its themes, its characters and its hauntingly beautiful dystopian world.”
Death Stranding is out on July 14th for PC. Will you be picking it up, and how many mods will you be chucking in it?
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